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For all the Batman movies and TV shows that have come before it, Hollywood’s latest offering, The LEGO Batman Moviedoes a remarkable job of exploring the superhero’s complex duality while delivering an uproariously funny take on the Dark Knight’s world of fighting crime.

The LEGO Batman Movie is a vivid display of visual grandeur ably demonstrated brick by brick, block by block. Building (no pun intended) upon the remarkable success of 2014’s The LEGO Movie, Batman is a playful, witty homage to the DC Comics universe. Fueled with jokes that are appealing to young and old audiences alike, Batman never loses sight of its 1939 comic book origins.

Everything is not so awesome in Gotham City. The Joker has led an uprising that has not only resulted in great destruction but has seemingly placed control of Gotham in the arch villain’s hands. Not so fast. Batman seeks to restore control of this city under siege but soon discovers that he may not be able to do it alone, as has been his custom. This realization leads Batman on a journey of self-discovery that ultimately causes him to figure out that allowing others into his world is not such a bad thing after all. In doing so, he gains a surrogate family and a newfound sense that life doesn’t need to be so serious all the time.

THE GOOD AND BAD OF THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE

If this sounds like a serious movie to you don’t be alarmed. Director Chris McKay (Robot Chicken series) and a team of five writers have concocted a storyline that is disarmingly irreverent and outright funny while not losing sight of Batman’s psychological isolation.

Previous Batman movies have explored the paradoxical complexities of whether Bruce Wayne’s alter ego is a lone vigilante dedicated to keeping the world safe or just a really misunderstood, miserable guy. The LEGO Batman Movie does this well, diving into many core issues like coming to terms with his need for a family, the ability to love others, and his battle to overcome loneliness.

Personifying Batman’s epic neurosis with great comedic sensibility is a scene that finds him watching a scene from Jerry Maguire alone in his empty home theater. When Tom Cruise utters the iconic phrase “you complete me” to Renee Zellweger, Batman is reduced to a puddle of less than super-heroic angst.

McKay has gone to great lengths to work various bits of Batman lore into the movie’s 90 minutes. For every POW! and BAM! that POP! up on the screen, there are references to past battles between Batman and the Joker (“the two boats”), or mentions of music from the previous movies. These cinematic nods are a welcome addition for parents or fans of pop culture.

With his signature raspy voice, Arnett picks up where he left off from The LEGO Movie in his excellent return to the Batman character. Joining him on this adventure is his former Arrested Development co-star Cera whose innocent, childlike inflections are a perfect match for the part of Dick Grayson/Robin. The interplay between the pair carries the movie.

Rated PG for rude humor and action sequences, The LEGO Batman Movie seems to lean a bit too heavily on several sophomoric references to Robin’s real name as well as the Joker suggesting that the Batmobile be renamed something akin to Batman’s anatomical posterior. In addition, parents beware, Batman strips down to his underwear in a couple of scenes – nothing obscene, especially considering that the characters are Lego figures. It is something to be aware of nonetheless.

IN THE END

Despite a slight drag in the final third of the movie, The LEGO Batman Movie is a family-friendly film that stresses the importance of positive relationships and being part of a family. It is uproariously funny, visually spectacular, and will have you leaving the theater with a smile on your face. But most importantly, good defeats evil once again.